KIRKLAND, Wash. - A driver who struck and killed a bicyclist at a Kirkland intersection early Thursday morning has been arrested for vehicular homicide. Investigators believe the 27-year-old Redmond man was under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Police say at about 3 a.m. Thursday, Bradley Nakatani, 36, was riding his bicycle home from work/ We was going through the intersection of 132nd Avenue NE and 124th Street -- wearing reflective gear, flashing lights and a helmet -- when he was hit by a driver who was going nearly twice the speed limit.
Nakatani died at the scene. His bike was cut in half by the impact.
Investigators say the suspect admitted to drinking and taking prescription drugs before getting into his SUV.
Praveen Arneja worked with Nakatani for about two years.
"He was young and aspiring and motivated to do a lot of things -- and he was good at heart,” she said. "It's a very painful loss."
She says the talented software engineer typically rode his bicycle to work because he cared so deeply for the environment.
"The bicyclist was doing everything right and was well marked with lights and everything," said Lt. Mike Murray of the Kirkland Police Department.
Friends and co-workers will hold a candlelight vigil for Nakatani on Friday from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of 132nd Avenue NE and 124th Street. They want to remember their friend while raising awareness about the dangers of drunk driving.
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